Chapter 231: Gradual Restoration of the State
In the outskirts of Moonlight City, beside an abandoned subway entrance, a low-level crocodile-shaped monster basked in the sun.
This crocodile-shaped creature posed no threat to others until it had sufficiently elevated its body temperature.
Since the area inhabited by the crocodile-shaped monster had long been forsaken by humanity. Therefore, the crocodile-shaped monster had rarely encountered humans. It had also never engaged in conflict with other monsters.
As its body temperature rose, the crocodile-shaped monster finally became capable of movement.
Under normal circumstances, the creature would take a stroll around the abandoned subway entrance.
Afterward, it would venture to other locations in search of humans.
Today, its actions were no different from usual.
However, just as the crocodile-shaped monster reached the other side of the abandoned subway entrance, a phantom gate suddenly materialized before it.
At the moment the ethereal door appeared, the time and space surrounding the crocodile-shaped monster became distorted.
Before the creature could react in any way, it was instantly sealed within a peculiar space.
Just a few seconds after the crocodile-shaped monster had been successfully sealed, Jeremy and Ritchie emerged from a concealed location not far away.
"Your awakening talent is truly remarkable! The ease with which you managed to seal a monster of considerable strength is astonishing."
Ritchie remarked, gazing at the now-encased crocodile-shaped creature with a tone of admiration directed at Jeremy.
Jeremy's expression remained remarkably calm.
In his view, his talent, The King of Time and Space, should be capable of achieving far more than such a basic level of sealing.
"What is there to be astonished about? I am still not in a fully restored state! Once I have completely regained my strength, I will be able to demonstrate even more formidable spatial sealing abilities to you!"
Upon hearing Jeremy's words, Ritchie directly inquired,
"Since you have sealed this monster away, does that mean you can find an opportunity to release it again?"
Jeremy nodded in affirmation.
"Sealing does not equate to killing the monster! In fact, sealing can also prolong a monster's life. When a dying monster is sealed within a time-space gate, it will remain in a state of being on the verge of death, yet not quite deceased."
Jeremy's explanation prompted Ritchie to nod in agreement, though he still harbored some confusion.
"Does such a monster hold any value for us? It seems we have no need for a dying creature."
At that moment, Jeremy approached Ritchie and casually tossed the already sealed crocodile-shaped monster into his own designated unknown space.
"Such a monster is certainly of great utility to us! After a monster is eliminated, if we cannot promptly use necromancy to extract all the information it possesses.
Its soul will inevitably return to the instance they mentioned, or to the orchestrator of the apocalypse game to which they belong.
While I do possess the ability to perform necromancy, my current proficiency is rather limited. This means I cannot continuously utilize this art.
When faced with a multitude of monsters, I can only severely injure them and then seal them away. Once the cooldown for my necromancy skill is over, I can then eliminate the dying monster and commune with its soul."
As Jeremy spoke, he remained vigilant, attentively observing his surroundings.
Jeremy felt that his condition was steadily improving during the battle.
He hoped to immediately find a monster of a higher level nearby.
As Jeremy focused his attention on searching for monsters, he failed to notice the change in Ritchie's expression.
Ritchie had always considered necromancy to be a somewhat malevolent form of magic.
He wished for Jeremy to minimize his use of necromancy as much as possible. However, Jeremy's response clearly indicated that he would indeed be utilizing necromancy more frequently in the future.
This revelation, of course, left Ritchie feeling quite disappointed.
Nevertheless, Ritchie quickly adjusted his mood.
"Perhaps you can exploit this method to maximize your use of necromancy. However, during this recent period, you should find it impossible to execute such operations."
Ritchie said with a smile.
Jeremy nodded in agreement, "Indeed! While my condition is steadily recovering, it will still take some time to return to my optimal state.
Before I reach peak condition, I can only choose to battle those monsters that pose no threat to me. That is the most reasonable plan."
After finishing this statement, Jeremy headed toward a dilapidated truck not far away.
While speaking with Ritchie, he did not cease his search for nearby monsters.
Jeremy discovered that behind the dilapidated truck, a creature had been secretly observing his and Ritchie's movements.
Naturally, Ritchie was following closely behind Jeremy, and as they approached the truck, they realized that the creature lurking behind it was a monster of a formidable level—fifty.
Although Jeremy's level had surpassed fifty, he had not fully recovered from his previous encounters.
Ritchie felt a twinge of concern, he leaned closer and lowered his voice as he addressed Jeremy.
"A level fifty monster poses a significant threat to us in our current state! We should leave this place immediately! We absolutely cannot engage in combat with a level fifty creature!"
After uttering these words, Ritchie intended to pull Jeremy into the shadows for concealment.
With the increase in his own level, Ritchie's ability to utilize shadows had improved significantly.
He was now capable not only of hiding himself within the shadows, but he could also cloak his companions within them. Currently, he could conceal up to two allies at once.
If Ritchie were to reach level fifty and awaken his innate talent, his ability to manipulate shadows would be further enhanced.
Initially, Jeremy had intended to engage the level fifty monster in a direct confrontation.
He believed that although his condition was not at its best, both his weaponry and his talents were exceptionally powerful.
In a decisive battle, it was conceivable that he would not necessarily be overpowered by the enemy.
However, after contemplating the situation for a while, Jeremy ultimately chose to play it safe.
"You are absolutely right! We should not engage in a head-on clash with a level fifty monster at this moment!"
Jeremy grasped Ritchie's hand firmly, and together they slipped into the shadows.
The level fifty monster that had been observing Jeremy and Ritchie was momentarily perplexed, unable to comprehend what had just transpired.
It continued to scan the surroundings, seemingly intent on locating the whereabouts of Jeremy and Ritchie.
Of course, it would be unable to find them, as the two had already made their way to a secure area.
Two kilometers away from the abandoned subway station, there stood a watchtower set up by General Howard's subordinate.
As long as Ritchie and Jeremy could successfully reach the watchtower, they would be able to receive assistance from others.
Moreover, there were no exceptionally powerful monsters in the vicinity of the watchtower.
When Jeremy and Ritchie arrived at the watchtower, they were suddenly astonished to find that Howard was also present.
"General Howard, why are you here?" Jeremy asked Howard with a look of surprise.
Howard was equally taken aback upon seeing Jeremy and Ritchie.
"I heard that your condition was quite poor. What brings you to this location? It is not particularly safe here. You should return to a secure area as soon as possible to rest." he advised.
Howard scrutinized Jeremy with a serious expression.
Howard could see that Jeremy's complexion was still less than ideal.
Thus, he hoped that Jeremy could continue to rest, after all, Jeremy was incredibly important to both him and Moonlight City.
Jeremy shook his head.
"Thank you very much for your concern! However, I believe that what I need to do right now is not to rest! I must regain my state as quickly as possible through combat."
"So you came here for that reason? Your choice is indeed quite wise. Although this place is not entirely safe, the monsters here are not exceedingly powerful."
Howard remarked in an appreciative tone.
"Yes, it was precisely this consideration that brought me here. However, I encountered a monster that exceeds level fifty near the abandoned subway station. If you have the time, would you be able to take your subordinates to eliminate that creature?"
Jeremy felt that having a level fifty monster wandering around was exceedingly dangerous.
Thus, he hoped that Howard would lead the soldiers of Moonlight City to eradicate that formidable foe.
Upon hearing Jeremy's words, a look of disappointment crossed Howard's face.
"I certainly wish to eliminate that level fifty monster as well. However, the strength I currently command is simply insufficient for this task. My soldiers have yet to recover from the previous crisis."
Howard's statement left both Jeremy and Ritchie momentarily at a loss for words.
After all, they were acutely aware of the severity of the situation that Howard's soldiers had previously faced.
"Alright, you need not concern yourselves with matters here. Focus on your own tasks! I will take care of the situation here."
Howard said, his expression of disappointment fleeting as he smiled and instructed his subordinates to escort Jeremy and Ritchie to a safer location.